SUPPORT RESOURCES

PROGRESS REPORT/REPORT CARD DISTRIBUTION DATES

Assessments are given to each student at five week intervals. Your child should bring home a progress report (PR) or report card (RC) on the following dates:

PR #1: Friday, October 10, 2014

RC #1: Friday, November 14, 2014

PR #2: Friday, December 19, 2014

RC #2: Friday, February 6, 2015

PR #3: Friday, March 13, 2015

RC #3: Friday, April 17, 2015

PR #4: Friday, May 22, 2015

RC #4 Mailed home Friday, July 3, 2015

TIPS FOR ORGANIZATION

At this point in the school year, middle school students should be familiar with their schedules and comfortable navigating to and from classes.

Organization is essential for being successful in middle school. Encourage your child to share his or her “system” with you; then work together, as needed, to perfect it. Keep in mind that what works for you may not work for your child.

Is your child cleaning out his or her book bag and organizing notebooks/folders on a regular basis? Is the PLANNER being used to record daily assignments? Is your child planning ahead for major projects and tests? It is important to have a plan for managing homework. How discouraging it is to spend time completing an assignment only to lose it and not be able to turn it in on time.

Many students use a HOMEWORK FOLDER to keep track of assignments. This folder is taken to every class. Assignments that need to be done can be placed on one side and completed assignments ready to turn in can be placed on the other. The student should check the homework folder and planner at the end of each day, then bring it home along with any texts/notes/etc. needed to complete the assignment. The homework folder, with completed assignments, should be placed in a designated spot where the student will remember to bring it to school each day.

Some students stay organized by using an ACCORDIAN or EXPANDING FILE FOLDER. The folder can be set up by subject and taken to each class. Assignments can easily be placed in the correct pocket for later completion. A weekly cleaning is essential to success with this tool.

A ZIPPER BINDER has been helpful for many students. It provides a place for storing assignments as well as writing utensils and looseleaf paper.

It is important to ask your child to show you their homework, rather than asking if the homework is done. Seeing the assignments and spending a few minutes reviewing them with your child shows how important they are and gives you some idea of what is being taught. This also provides an opportunity to relate daily life activities to topics covered in school.

A good night’s sleep and breakfast are also helpful for being successful in middle school. It is difficult to maintain focus when exhausted and hungry. Although everyone is different, research indicates that most middle school students need eight to ten hours of sleep per night.

Please contact your child’s teachers or middle school counselor if you have any questions or concerns.

Eighth Grade Transition to High School

A Note to 8th Grade Parents and Students

This is the time of the year that the process of ninth grade course selection begins for all of the eighth grade students. Individual appointments will be scheduled for the student to meet with their middle school counselor. The counselor will have a course selection worksheet which will be discussed with each student. On this sheet will be courses recommended by the eighth grade teachers for the student; a certain level (Honors, 9R1, 9R2) for English, Social Studies, Science, Math, and Foreign Language. Students are also required to take physical education each year.

Beyond these courses, students will be able to choose one or two elective courses in art, music, AJROTC, technology, and business. It is recommended that the student meet the one credit art/music requirement for high school in ninth grade if possible. Each ninth grade student is required to be enrolled in classes for a minimum of six and one half class periods each day.

The process:

In February,each student will receive a Grade 9 “Choices” booklet which lists and describes all of the course offerings for ninth grade (also available on line on the high school counseling website).

There will be an Eighth Grade Parent Information Night at the High School Auditorium on February 25, 2015 (snow date (2/26) from 6-8 PM. An informational letter was sent home with eighth grade students when they received their quarter 2 report cards.

During March, each student will meet with their middle school counselor to review the teacher recommendations and select elective courses.

Students will bring home a course recommendation sheet to be reviewed and signed by a parent.

In May, parents will be mailed a course verification sheet from the high school listing the courses the student will be enrolled in for ninth grade.

The actual scheduling process is done during the summer by the high school counselors.

Questions or concerns regarding recommendations from the academic teachers should be directed to that teacher.

Questions or concerns about elective courses or any other matters can be directed to the middle school counselor at 355-5210.

Support Groups and Programs Available for Middle School Children

Please click here to view information provided by the Middle School Psychologist detailing various support groups and programs which may be of interest to you and your middle school child.